The UFC 158 weigh-in, all rules were followed claims Quebec Commission

Recently a video appeared of Michael Mersch, senior vise-president of business and legal affairs and assistant general counsel for UFC, where he was seen talking to Nick Diaz and his camp before the UFC 158 weigh-ins.

In the video, Mersch told Diaz that the Quebec athletic commisson was going to allow Diaz and St-Pierre an extra hour to lose weight if needed. He also said they wouldn’t be counting decimals, so even at 170.9 they would still be considered 170.

In non-title bouts a one-pund weight-allowance are normally given to the fighters, but usually in title fights no allowance are given.
When a memeber of Diaz’s crew asked why they hadn’t been told that the day before, Mersch answered that it was an “off-the-record type of thing”, that it was unofficial and only for Diaz and St-Pierre. “Just letting you guys be in the loop,” Mersch said.

“That’s a loophole,” another Diaz crew member said. They then began wondering if perhaps St-Pierre had trouble making his weight.

But the Quebec athletic commission insists all procedures were followed correctly at the much discussed UFC 158 weigh-in.

“Currently, the Regie does take into consideration the maximum weight determined by contract when it carries out the weigh-ins before a bout. However, our regulation on combat sports does not take decimals into account,” said Joyse Tremblay, spokesperson for La Regie des Alcools des Courses et Des Jeux.

“Their consideration is a question of interpretation likely to be debated between the two parties under contract.”

About Mersch telling Diaz he and St-Pierre were to be given an extra hour, Tremblay says; “In this case there was no extra hour allowed.”

UFC in an official response said, “The Quebec commission was in charge of the weigh-in and observed both fighters come in at 170 pounds or less – 169 for Diaz and 170 for GSP,” further questions were to be directed to the Quebec Commission, the UFC added.

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